The Reed Exhibitions-owned bar show reached capacity at times on Tuesday 18 October, with Station Berlin brimming with bartenders, exibitors and journalists.
The show saw 317 exhibitors — almost 20% more than last year — showcasing 900 brands from 28 countries. Over half of the exhibitors were foreign.
The special focus for this year was on Great Britain as the BCB partner country, and a record number of speakers – more than 100 - gave talks on topics affecting the industry.
BCB Director, Petra Lassahn, said: “BCB brings together that which belongs together — content for the bartender community and business for the beverage and spirits industry. The combination of these two elements is what makes BCB so successful. A mixture that proves to be very popular and is rapidly gaining ground internationally. This is also palpable at the stands, especially those of the big brands.
"The same goes for the visitors. Although bar owners and bartenders form the majority, one-fifth of BCB customers are meanwhile from the beverage and spirits industry, or are wholesalers or distributors. The Global Drinks Forum plays an important role here. This conference took place for the first time this year, bringing roughly 100 international contributors and experts from the spirits industry together on the day before BCB.”
Helmut Adam, one of the three co-founders of Bar Convent, said: “A harmonious blend of business and information has been the DNA of our success for ten years. The partnership with Reed Exhibitions, which began last year, is also an important factor and has once again had a very positive effect. In the course of a decade, Bar Convent has become an essential event for the industry.”
